Q:I was big into skating in the 80's, riding many Powell Peralta boards. Although I don't regularly skate anymore, I never quit. I want a new setup and want to get a PP setup that has an old school feel but slightly narrower like today's boards. Which old school flavored reissue do you recommend? Street, pools, parks.

A: I DON’T MEAN TO BE PUSHING MY OWN SHAPE, BUT I DESIGNED MY MODEL FOR THE NEED AND DEMAND I HAVE FOR RIDING SOMETHING A TOUCH NARROWER MORE RESPONSIVE THAN THE TYPICAL WIDE 80S VERT BOARD. THE TAIL ON MY BOARD IS PULLED IN SO THE BOARD DOESN’T FEEL SO BIG AND CLUNKY.

Q: There's some footage somewhere of you saying that skaters shouldn't be in the streets and that parks are the place for them. This was probably late 70's. Was this completely your opinion or was that statement influenced by somebody else? Because, clearly, you were a little wrong. Just interested. I'm a big fan.

A: I WAS HIRED TO DO A TV COMMERCIAL FOR THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL – IT WAS A SKATEBOARD SAFETY COMMERCIAL THAT RAN NATIONALLY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I WAS SIMPLY READING FROM A SCRIPT. THE INTENTION WAS CORRECT BUT THE MESSAGE WAS WRONG. LIVE AND LEARN.

Q: Do you have an idea as to what your next film project might be? I have been a big fan for many, many years, thanks for the stoke!

A: I PRODUCED A FILM ON THE LATE “EDDIE AIKAU” THAT SAM GEORGE DIRECTED - WHICH IS PREMIEING THIS YEAR ON ESPN’S 30 FOR 30. WE’RE VERY PROUD OF IT. OTHER THAN THAT I’M KIND OF TAKING A BREAK RIGHT NOW. MY BRAIN IS A BIT STIR-FRIED AND ITS BEEN ASKING ME TO SLOW DOWN.

Q: Hi Stacy, what brand of conditioner do you use to make your hair look so fabulous? Also, when the hell is Powell Peralta going to reissue the Skull & Sword team deck from the mid-late 80's with the fish tail and skeleton background?

A: I USED WHATEVER CONDITIONER MY WIFE BUYS. I’M NOT PICKY. I DON’T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY PLANS FOR THAT REISSUE YET BUT THANKS FOR THE IDEA.

Q: Stacy, you've seen the rise of skateboarding from your beginnings with the Zephyr crew. how has the times progressed since then being not only self taught but putting together one of the greatest teams to date? Thanks first of all for the movies past and present.

A: IT SEEMS TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE MAINSTREAM NOW. NOT SURE IF THAT IS A GOOD THING OR NOT. WHAT I DO THINK IS GREAT IS THAT SKATEBOARDING HAS BECOME A MUCH MORE ETHNIC SPORT THAN IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO. IT’S BECOME VERY POPULAR IN THE INNER-CITIES OF AMERICA WHICH I LOOK AT AS SUPER HOPEFUL. THOSE SKATERS USING SKATING AS A DOORWAY TO A BETTER LIFE JUST AS WE DID.

Q: What is your happiest memory of skating in your early days?

A: I HAVE SO MANY. ONE OF THEM: SKATING A POOL CALLED THE DEVONSHIRE POOL IN THE VERY VERY EARLY DAYS (1976) WITH ALVA AND BINIAK DURING THE SUMMER. JUST THE THREE OF US, IT WAS RIGHT AFTER WE LEARNED HOW TO DO MULTIPLE KICKTURNS, PERPETUALLY, WALL TO WALL IN THE POOL. WE WORE TEE-SHIRTS AND SHORTS, NO PADS OR HELMETS AS THEY HADN’T BEEN INVENTED, AND WE WERE TEARING IT UP WITH NO THOUGHT WHATSOEVER OF WHAT WAS COMING OUR WAY.

Q: Stacy, you put this great team together in the 80's. It lasted longer that any else. It's a legacy for many skaters around the world... Never thinking about creating a new one or kind of a skate school? Thank you for good vibes, awesome movies and everything else! Keep the good work up Z-boy!

A: I COULDN’T TOP WHAT I DID I N THE 80S. IT JUST WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE. I WOULDN’T MIND TEACHING SKATEBOARDING WHEN I BECOME AN OLD MAN. I THINK I WOULD ENJOY THAT.

Q: What does Stacy like/dislike about the world of skateboarding today?

A: THAT IT’S STILL ILLEGAL. BEING ILLEGAL KEEPS IT FREE AND HONEST. THE OTHER THING I LIKE ABOUT IT IS THAT IT NEVER STOPS FEELING GOOD DOING IT.

Q: Whatever happen to Steve Saiz and why wasn't he interviewed for the documentary?

A: SAIZ CAME ONTO THE TEAM MUCH LATER. THE BB FILM WAS PRIMARILY ABOUT THE FIRST SET OF SKATERS I PUT ON THE TEAM AND THE PARTICULAR SKATERS WHO MADE THE BIGGEST DENT IN THE SPORT.

Q: No question. Just thanks to him, Alva, Jay Adams, Shogo, Biniak, Muir, and the rest of the Z-Boys for starting it all! Who would have thought skating would become what it has? It's far surpassed anything they could have imagined. There's nothing like the original! THANK YOU. whens the last time youve skated and do you still get the same feeling when you step on a board...

A: I SKATED TWO DAYS AGO. I’M TRYING TO RELEARN SPACEWALK 360S WHICH IS A TRICK I CO-INVENTED. I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW HARD IT IS RELEARNING IT.

Q: Stacy, I have been telling people that you are a mentoring success story of the skate industry. You were once a "little brother" being "mentored" by Skip, Craig, Jeff, etc. But soon, you became the "big brother" and mentor to the Bones Brigade guys. Can we talk about this idea sometime? Would you say this is an accurate observation?

A: I APPRECIATE THE COMPLIMENT. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THE SKATE CAREER THAT I HAD – WHEN IT WAS OVER I WANTED TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK AND THROUGH THE BB TEAM I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT. I WAS IN A POSITION THAT PROVIDED ME WITH RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE LIVES OF MANY OF THE SKATERS I SPONSORED AND I TOOK IT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE THEM HAVE FULFILLING CAREERS. IT SIMPLY BLOWS MY MIND WHAT HAWK, MULLEN, CAB, MCGILL, TOMMY AND LANCE HAVE DONE WITH THEIR LIVES AND HOW MUCH THEY’VE INFLUENCED SKATEBOARDING. IT’S VERY GRATIFYING.

Q: Stacy, I wish you well and hope you have a great day. What was your most surprising Bones Brigade moment involving Rodney Mullen? Sorry I wish I had a more creative one. :)

A: SEEING HIM SKATE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THEN SEEING ALL OF THE TRICKS HE INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD DURING THE 80S. EVERYTIME WE BROUGHT HIM OUT TO CALIFORNIA HE WOULD HAVE SOME BRAND NEW REVOLUTIONARY TRICK THAT WOULD MAKE ME LAUGH HYSTERICALLY.

Q: When was the last time you skated and where?

A: IN THE STREET NEAR MY HOUSE TWO DAYS AGO.

Q: What was the best and worst part of being in the zephyr team?

A: THERE WAS NO WORST PART. GETTING ON THAT TEAM IS ONE OF MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THE BEST PART WAS BEING WITH EVERYONE AND INVADING SKATE SPOTS TOGETHER AND JUST GOING NUTS WITH AGGRESSION AND HUNGER FOR SKATEBOARDING.

Q: What's his thoughts on the longboard and freeride craze? Any thoughts or advice for a custom builder trying to make his niche?

A: I THINK ANY FORM OF SKATEBOARDING IS GOOD. I DON’T DISCRIMINATE. ALL FORMS OF SKATEBOARDING ARE ACCEPTABLE TO ME. MY ADVICE; MAKE BOARDS THAT YOU WANT TO RIDE. IF YOU LIKE IT, CHANCES ARE OTHERS WILL TOO.

Q: Did you know where skateboarding was heading towards before it happened later? I mean did you have any foresight on what would transpire into the future?

A: WHAT I KNEW IS THAT I LOVED SKATEBOARDING AND I ALWAYS BELIEVED IF OTHER KIDS AROUND THE WORLD GOT EXPOSED TO IT LIKE WE DID, THEN THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WOULD LOVE IT JUST AS MUCH.

Post Comments

Brent

Tim Malins

posted on 8/1/2013 11:16 AM

Great answers... what inspiration to keep skating for the pure fun of it.

Gregory Crofton

posted on 8/21/2013 11:10 AM

Hey Stacy:

Big fan of your films. I write for documentarytelevision.com and channelnonfiction.com and I would like to interview you about your approach with Topsin in releasing Bones Brigade direct to fans. I think this is a big story and it would help filmmakers immensely to know about this approach, which apparently made you money for the first time on your films - so cool. If you're interested and able to help me out, please send me an email with your contact info to channelnonfiction@gmail.com.

Thanks, Greg

Chopper

posted on 10/10/2013 10:19 AM

I first came to the US in 1986 on holiday from South Africa. I was 17 and saw Future Primative playing in a surf shop in San Diego. It changed my life. Guerrero and Steadham were so poetic to me, and I think of them whenever I skate. I have 7 Steve Steadham boards in a variety of colors. I would love to have seen something of Steve in the documentary. Perhaps Stacy,... a future project that ties in with your thoughts of skateboarding in the inner cities,... could be about black skateboarders. The history of black skateboarding and where it might go. Steve Steadham and Marty Grimes to me,.. would be great for this.